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Vaalco Energy Inc.: Q3 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q3 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 5 November 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 lowered. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Production rose 21% on second quarter: Working interest production was 25,284 BOPD and NRI production 20,145 BOPD, up about 21% from the second quarter and 31% from the third quarter of 2025. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDAX rose 30%: Adjusted EBITDAX was $71.1 million, up from $54.8 million in the second quarter and $23.7 million in the third quarter of 2025. Source
  • Net loss driven by derivative losses: The company reported a net loss of $39.8 million, or $0.38 per diluted share, against net income of $42.4 million in the second quarter, mainly from a non-cash derivative loss. Source
  • Baobab restarted and lifted: Baobab production resumed in June, the first crude lifting came in August, and Phase Five drilling began in September. Source
  • Derivative loss on rising futures: Net loss on commodity derivatives was $57.0 million, including a $34.7 million unrealized loss from a higher futures curve and a $22.3 million realized loss on matured contracts. Source
  • Venus and Kossipo seen doubling output: Management expects significant production increases in 2027 and says the Venus and Kossipo programs could organically double production. Source

“The third quarter results continue to demonstrate our ability to successfully execute on our strategy as we deliver on our forecasts and grow production in a strong commodity price environment.”

George Maxwell, Vaalco’s Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Sales volume, NRI SourceQ4 202620,800 to 22,600 BOPD
Production, NRI SourceQ4 202618,800 to 20,900 BOPD
Capital expenditure, excluding acquisitions SourceQ4 2026$55 to $75 millionLowered
Production expense, WI and NRI SourceQ4 2026$51.0 to $59.0 million
Production expense per barrel, NRI SourceQ4 2026$25.50 to $28.00 per BO
Exploration expense SourceQ4 2026$3 to $4 million
Cash G&A SourceQ4 2026$7.5 to $9.5 million
DD&A per barrel, NRI SourceQ4 2026$20.00 to $23.00 per BO
Production, WI SourceFY 202622,350 to 23,800 BOEPD
Production, NRI SourceFY 202617,400 to 18,550 BOEPD
Sales volume, WI SourceFY 202622,050 to 23,300 BOEPD
Sales volume, NRI SourceFY 202617,000 to 18,050 BOEPD
Production expense, WI and NRI SourceFY 2026$166.00 to $180.00 million
Production expense per BOE, NRI SourceFY 2026$24.00 to $29.00 per BOE
Exploration expense SourceFY 2026$29 to $31 million
Cash G&A SourceFY 2026$32.0 to $36.0 million
Capital expenditure, excluding acquisitions SourceFY 2026$300 to $330 million
DD&A per BOE, NRI SourceFY 2026$20.00 to $23.00 per BOE

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance lowered: Q4 2026 capital expenditure guidance was decreased to $55 million to $75 million. Source
  • New guidance: The company provided Q4 2026 and full-year 2026 operational and financial guidance in this release; the prior release contained none. Source
  • New: Egypt drilling is now planned to continue into 2027, after the 2026 campaign that began in May. Source
  • New: In September the company and its partners agreed to proceed to the second exploration phase on CI-705, subject to approval. Source
  • Ended: Canada production ended after the Canadian assets were sold; Canada volumes were zero in Q3 2026 against 1,957 BOEPD a year earlier. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Production rose 21% on second quarter: Working interest production was 25,284 BOPD and NRI production 20,145 BOPD, up about 21% from the second quarter and 31% from the third quarter of 2025. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDAX rose 30%: Adjusted EBITDAX was $71.1 million, up from $54.8 million in the second quarter and $23.7 million in the third quarter of 2025. Source
  • Net loss driven by derivative losses: The company reported a net loss of $39.8 million, or $0.38 per diluted share, against net income of $42.4 million in the second quarter, mainly from a non-cash derivative loss. Source
  • Nine-month net loss versus last year: The nine-month net loss was $91.2 million, compared with net income of $17.2 million in the same period of 2025. Source

Segments and regions

  • Gabon drilling campaign finished: The Gabon Phase Three program is complete, with five wells at Etame brought online and the rig released in early October. Source
  • Baobab restarted and lifted: Baobab production resumed in June, the first crude lifting came in August, and Phase Five drilling began in September. Source
  • Egypt wells drilled this quarter: Five development wells were drilled and completed in Egypt during the quarter, and two more were completed in October. Source
  • Gas well replaces diesel in Gabon: The ETBNM-3 gas-supply well is online and its gas is used for field operations, reducing reliance on diesel moved by vessel. Source

“Operationally, we successfully completed our drilling campaign in Gabon and released the rig in early October.”

George Maxwell, Vaalco’s Chief Executive Officer

Sales, pricing and revenue

  • Sales near top of guidance: NRI sales were 18,454 BOPD, toward the high end of guidance; sales volume of 1,698 MBOE was 5% above the second quarter. Source
  • Realized price rose on higher Brent: Realized price was $83.64 per BOE, up from $80.77 in the second quarter and $51.26 a year earlier; average Brent was $96.30 in the quarter. Source
  • Net revenue up 9% on volumes: Net revenue was $147.0 million, up $11.8 million or 9% on the second quarter, driven by higher sales volumes including the first Côte d’Ivoire lifting of 2026. Source

Costs, margins and derivatives

  • Production expense per barrel up year on year: Production expense excluding workovers and stock compensation was $44.9 million, or $26.43 per BOE, up 5% from the third quarter of 2025 and down 6% from the second quarter. Source
  • Depletion rose per barrel: Depreciation, depletion and amortization was $43.4 million, or $25.54 per BOE, up 47% per barrel from the third quarter of 2025 and 21% from the second quarter. Source
  • G&A per barrel fell: G&A excluding stock compensation was $7.4 million, or $4.34 per BOE, down from $6.07 per BOE a year earlier and lower than the second quarter. Source
  • Derivative loss on rising futures: Net loss on commodity derivatives was $57.0 million, including a $34.7 million unrealized loss from a higher futures curve and a $22.3 million realized loss on matured contracts. Source

“We remain confident in our strategic vision with continued operational success and preparing for our next major programs at Venus in Equatorial Guinea and Kossipo in Côte d’Ivoire, which should organically double the Company’s production.”

George Maxwell, Vaalco’s Chief Executive Officer

Capital, cash and shareholder returns

  • Quarterly capital spend concentrated in three areas: Capital expenditure was $86.9 million on a cash basis, mainly for Gabon drilling, Egypt drilling and Côte d’Ivoire reconnection and drilling. Source
  • Nine-month free cash flow positive: Nine-month free cash flow was $12.5 million after operating cash of $89.8 million and investing outflows of $243.1 million; dividends paid were $20.1 million. Source
  • Debt and liquidity position: Long-term debt was $239.0 million at September 30, with $51.3 million of cash and net debt of $187.7 million, against $1.1 million at December 31, 2025. Source
  • Dividend held at $0.0625: The $0.0625 per share dividend was paid for the third quarter on September 22; the fourth-quarter dividend is payable December 22 to holders of record November 20. Source
  • Further crude hedges added: Hedges extend into late 2027; collars entered after quarter end add 114,000 barrels for October to December 2027. Source

Strategy and investment programs

  • Venus and Kossipo seen doubling output: Management expects significant production increases in 2027 and says the Venus and Kossipo programs could organically double production. Source
  • Free cash flow targeted for second half 2027: Management forecasts free cash flow generation in the second half of 2027, assuming sustained commodity pricing. Source
  • CI-705 moves to second exploration phase: The partners agreed in September to proceed to the second exploration phase on CI-705, pending approval, which requires relinquishing about 25% of the block and drilling one firm well. Source

Coming up, as management said on 5 November 2026

  • First Baobab wells due by year-end: The first Phase Five well is to be drilled and completed by year-end 2026, with additional wells coming online in the first half of 2027. Source
  • Venus final investment decision targeted: Work on Venus continues toward a final investment decision expected in Q4 2026, while alternative technical solutions are evaluated. Source
  • Kossipo development plan due mid-2027: The Kossipo field development plan is being progressed toward completion in the first half of 2027. Source
  • Revolving facility steps down from 2027: Aggregate commitments on the 2025 RBL Facility reduce semi-annually, starting with a $15.8 million reduction on March 31, 2027. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Production volumes Source20,145 NRI BOEPD; 25,284 WI BOEPD (Q3 2026)
Realized prices Source$83.64 per BOE, NRI basis (Q3 2026)
Capital expenditure Source$86.9 million, cash basis (Q3 2026)
Unit costs Source$26.43 per BOE production expense excluding offshore workovers (Q3 2026)
Shareholder returns Source$0.0625 per share quarterly dividend

Risks management discussed

  • Regulatory: Income tax for the quarter included a $4.1 million unfavorable adjustment from the change in value of Gabon’s profit oil allocation between production and lifting. Source
  • Financial: The nine-month decline in results was attributed to derivative losses, higher exploration expense, higher interest payments and higher taxes. Source
  • Operational: Higher chemical and fuel costs in all operating areas raised production expense compared with the third quarter of 2025. Source
  • External: The second-half 2027 free cash flow forecast is conditional on sustained commodity pricing. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Met: Q3 2026 NRI sales were reported as toward the high end of the company's guidance. Source
  • Met: Q3 capital expenditure of $86.9 million cash basis was described as near the low end of the $75 million to $115 million guidance. Source
  • Met: The Gabon drilling campaign was completed, with ETSEM-3H brought online and the rig released in early October. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.